The Cycle of Breakthrough

The cycle continues and I feel like it will never get better. What have I done and how can I recover?

Have you ever felt like all you needed was a breakthrough? Like if just for a moment the hardship would ease and you could finally feel hope and opportunity for goodness to come into your life? Well the thing about a breakthrough is that you have to experience the uncomfortable moments for a while. It’s somewhat of a cycle but that doesn’t mean you will always go through the same things. Sometimes you will experience cycles for different reasons. For example:

• Patience

• Humility

• Love

• Compassion

• Peace

• Self-Control

In those cycles you may become irritable ready to plow on to the next phase of life. You may question why you have to go through what you’re going through as well. But if you take a look at God’s people in the bible everyone will go through breakthrough seasons. We as human beings are flawed and we will never be considered blameless like the Father. We must learn to be more Christ like and the way to do that is through development. Today we are going to talk about the season of Self-Control.

“Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control." Proverbs 25:28

When I think of this verse it reminds me of a building with a faulty foundation. The foundation that we should have regarding self-control, should be Christ. It hurts to think that in moments where there is a lack of self-control, we are operating like we aren’t in the covenant. Meaning, I am not obedient to that which I have been called and I go against my principles. This leads to a faulty foundation so we crumble and crumble. When we think of it like that it stings a bit right?

Let’s take a closer look at a topic that often people don’t like to discuss within a spiritual conversation. Stewardship. If you are waiting on a financial breakthrough then this is for you. If you feel like you have tried time and time again to get on track financially but somehow you keep finding yourself in this growth space that is uncomfortable, I need you to understand you are in a developmental cycle. This cycle will continue until you learn obedience to… yes—Self-control.

“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So, if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own? No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” Luke 16: 10-13

This portion of Luke is tough to swallow. It feels like you’re being berated a little and it convicts you where you otherwise may not have been considering how you are stewarding what God has given. It reminds you that a lack of financial self-control places your focus more on worldly treasures and less on the abundance of who God is, that is powerful.

While you are in this cycle of development learning how to control your desires and serve the

Kingdom better, focus on Luke 16:10-13. Allow it to arrest your heart even thought it stings and let your heart be transformed. When you are struggling to find your self-control and you want all these things to occur in life, remind yourself that God looks inward at our hearts and he will fulfill the desires of your heart but you first must seek the Kingdom and remain obedient. Consult God in your financial plans, ask God to show you the way. When you feel tempted to splurge a little give yourself boundaries of what is okay for now and what can wait until later. Doing whatever we want whenever we want with our funds can become an expression of a deeper symptom. It may reveal that we lead our lives on our own terms instead of waiting for God’s leadership, hence "being devoted" to something else.

Now for the good news! Because I can’t let the harsh tone of Luke 16:10-13 leave you discouraged. The good news is that with our obedience, humility, and submission to the Father, he tells us in John 14:14 if anything is asked in the name of the Lord, it will be done. It is important to know that “in the name of the Lord,” is about God's will. So, if it is his will, then it will be done for you. Be sure to pray within the will of God because he protects us even from ourselves when we want things that are not best for us to have. Likewise, Matthew 7:7 ask and it shall be given; seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened... again God wants to give to you but not without your obedience to seek the wisdom of God. Therefore, again I tell you to consult the Lord in your plans. Study his word, seek his knowledge, and he will reveal to you if the desires of your heart are within his will for you to have. Do you give children whatever they ask for? Why? It is not for their good to give them everything, but because you love them you give them as much as you can that will not hurt them, even things they desire. The Father wants to give to you but in moderation and for your good.

The breakthrough is coming sister, I know it's tough right now and you don’t feel as though you can speak on this issue because of hurt or shame. But know this—God is loving, patient, and forgiving. You do not need anyone else to validate you in this cycle. All you need is to forgive yourself for any mishandled stewardship and start today with seeking the Kingdom first. Be open to transforming your heart concerning your desires and your breakthrough will certainly come. The cycle will eventually end once you've learned the lesson.

Prayer Heavenly Father forgive me for lacking self-control at times. Help me focus less on worldly possessions or anything I feel I lack and restore my spirit with the riches of the Kingdom. Help me to remain obedient to my foundation, which is in you. When there are things I desire or want to do, place within my heart a spirit of discernment and prayer to seek your will first instead of my impulse. Help me to wait for just a moment to recognize what you are teaching me about self-control that I may end this cycle and receive my breakthrough. While I am on this journey and trying to find my way out—provide grace and mercy and help me to forgive myself as well. Father please provide all my needs and continue to care for me and my family ~ Amen